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Your dream internship at Google. A summer research position at Harvard. Or any other amazing opportunity available out there to high school students have one thing in common and that is that you have to ask for it. A cold email is an email sent to a person without prior contact to start a relationship such as a business, job, or internship. There are many other use cases for cold emails, but the main goal is to try to introduce yourself and establish a relationship with the recipient.

How to write a cold email

When writing a cold email, you want to grab the reader's attention while explaining your position and leading them to take action. It is worth the investment to research and tailor your emails to the recipient to better connect with them. If you are just starting, a cold email follows this format:

• Subject line
• Opening line
• Body
• Call to action
• Ending

Subject Line

The subject line is one of the most important parts of a cold email. It's the first thing the recipient sees and oftentimes determines if they will open the email or not. It should be respectful, engaging, and concise. People scan their inboxes, so shorter subject lines can be understood quickly at a glance. Additionally, because different devices display different amounts of characters, keeping it short and sweet ensures that the whole subject line will be read in everyone’s inbox. An email can be easily ignored, so it is important to captivate your reader in as few words as possible. Also avoid spam trigger words so the email doesn’t activate their spam filter

Opening Line

The opening line should greet the recipient with their name. This acknowledges the person as a person and helps personalize the email. If the person that you are addressing is in a position of authority, opt for a more formal greeting. If you are also unsure, then default to a formal greeting. Take care to ensure that you have the proper salutation and name.

Body

Introduce yourself. It doesn’t have to be too long, just enough for the recipient to get an understanding of who you are. Then, clearly state why you are emailing them: the internship. Keep it simple and highlight your skills and how you can contribute to the organization. Include any relevant information such as interests, internships, or jobs that demonstrate your knowledge. Highlight your impact at each of these roles/opportunities. What did you do and what was the result or personal growth that you gained?

Call to Action

Include a call to action, such as a reply or a meeting that will allow for further discussion. Keep it open to give flexibility to the recipient so it doesn’t come off as rude or forceful. You can also include your availability to avoid back-and-forths. Attach a copy of your resume so they can learn more about your qualifications. If you don't have a resume, it is time to create one.

Ending

Express your gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration. Make sure to use a formal closing. This is also where you can include a signature if you have one.

Fictional Example

Subject: Python Developer Internship Inquiry

Hello Mr. Doe,

My name is Joseph Lam and I am currently a rising senior at Lab High School. I have a passion for programming and I am reaching out to ask about a possible internship opportunity at your lab.

I have experience with Python, Html, CSS, and Javascript, building several personal projects, including a scheduling system for a local restaurant, and working in an open-source software used in drones. Additionally, I am the president of my high school programming club, leading a team of 20 students in international coding competitions, winning the 2019 NASA Hackathon. I’ve also got to shadow Professor A. Jones at Cornell University for a week, getting to learn about different approaches to using artificial intelligence in Python code. By joining your team I would hope to utilize these skills in real world research and help you optimize your recent softwares.

For further information, I would be happy to continue this conversation another time to discuss further steps. I can be contacted at [email protected] or xxx-xxx-xxxx. I am available every weekday after 3 pm. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

I’ve also attached my resume, and please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Joseph Lam

Writing cold emails may feel difficult, but with time and practice your skills will improve. Try to send the email in the morning in the recipient’s time zone because that’s when most people will check their inboxes. If you don’t get a reply back from your email, try to wait a few days and then send an appropriate follow-up. Always remember that you won’t always get a response back and to not get discouraged if that happens to you. There will always be another opportunity for you.